Keoghpjk 659 Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 This rather striking 2002 Fender Custom Shop Custom "Z" Esquire just arrived at my door less than 12 hours after ordering from DGS, and while I’m waiting patiently as I can to get home and get to unboxing, I figured I’d tide myself over by doing some good ‘ol fashioned research on it. Usually I find a great deal of relaxation in whiling away the hours doing a deep dive on a the particulars of a new guitar. In this case however, it’s becoming a struggle to get much in the way of any details or history about this one. Believe it or not, the serial number (both on the headstock and CS certificate) is “2 of 25”, so that makes things a bit more complicated. So far Fender CS support doesn't seem to have much information they can provide (something about a database migration of records in 2003 causing issues) outside of a notation of it having the generic model number 0124000000, and being listed as a group of "Custom Instruments” in their records. Not much of any consistency, or substance, is coming up in my internet searches either. Has anyone here ever come across one of these before, or know anything about the history of them? I've attached the pictures from DGS' listing as well as the picture of the certificate they sent me. 10 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crunchee 5,378 Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) Cool guitar! Looks like something the Rev. Billy G. woulda played several years back, maybe that's where the "Z" comes from. It might need Hot-Rod pinstriping for him, though. Edited to add: I just did a Google search for "Billy Gibbons Fender Esquire", and this came up (no affiliation, the listing's ended and is five years old, according to the "Product Specs" section of the listing), I guess somebody else thought the same thing: https://reverb.com/item/1027231-fender-billy-gibbons-custom-z-esquire-2001-black Edited December 10, 2020 by crunchee 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 4,134 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Oh, man! That looks MEAN! Congrats! LOVE the figuring on that neck. full tone report when you get around to it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rugby1970 1,153 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 That's a really fine guitar. Congrats!! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
singlehum 132 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 This one was on Reverb a while back In Australia. https://reverb.com/item/17191429-fender-esquire-custom-2001-gloss-black 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keoghpjk 659 Posted December 11, 2020 Author Share Posted December 11, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, crunchee said: Edited to add: I just did a Google search for "Billy Gibbons Fender Esquire", and this came up (no affiliation, the listing's ended and is five years old, according to the "Product Specs" section of the listing), I guess somebody else thought the same thing: https://reverb.com/item/1027231-fender-billy-gibbons-custom-z-esquire-2001-black 1 hour ago, singlehum said: This one was on Reverb a while back In Australia. https://reverb.com/item/17191429-fender-esquire-custom-2001-gloss-black These are two of the few references I was able to find in my searches, and find it interesting that mine has a later certificate date but is a lower number is the series. Edited December 11, 2020 by Keoghpjk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
singlehum 132 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 2 hours ago, crunchee said: Cool guitar! Looks like something the Rev. Billy G. woulda played several years back, maybe that's where the "Z" comes from. It might need Hot-Rod pinstriping for him, though. Edited to add: I just did a Google search for "Billy Gibbons Fender Esquire", and this came up (no affiliation, the listing's ended and is five years old, according to the "Product Specs" section of the listing), I guess somebody else thought the same thing: https://reverb.com/item/1027231-fender-billy-gibbons-custom-z-esquire-2001-black God those Grinning Elk listings are always annoying AF. Lots of words and barely any useful information on the guitar itself. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keoghpjk 659 Posted December 11, 2020 Author Share Posted December 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, singlehum said: God those Grinning Elk listings are always annoying AF. Lots of words and barely any useful information on the guitar itself. Amen to that... 🙄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cmatthes 20,227 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 I recall those being in some way associated as a Billy Gibbons model, but not officially. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bruce919 826 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 (edited) Very very cool. Congrats. that was a killer deal for that one. I call dibs if you ever want to let that one go. Edited December 11, 2020 by bruce919 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutchman 2,320 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 What ever it is it’s F’n cool!! Love that neck!!! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
velorush 5,735 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 I found number 10: Other than a sound clip, no information (nothing in the video description). Hey! Found this on the tdpri! Some specifics, at least. 2 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Haynie 12,176 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 If you need someone to watch your guitar for you while being away on a trip, send that Esquire to me. 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keoghpjk 659 Posted December 11, 2020 Author Share Posted December 11, 2020 58 minutes ago, velorush said: Found this on the tdpri! Some specifics, at least. I had seen that TDPRI thread, and a passing reference to the model in another, and it was about the most information I have come across so far. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keoghpjk 659 Posted December 11, 2020 Author Share Posted December 11, 2020 I received the following message from the Fender rep I've been working with... Not much DGS didn't already know, but at least I've confirmed the model of pickup. Hey Patrick! You're a pretty lucky guy, I guess, based on 2 things: your guitar is pretty special and your response came on a record time, haha! I'm copy-pasting you the answer from my C.S. team contact below: "That was a Team Built model. I remember setting some of them up in the FCS Final Assembly, and man, they were barn burners. Had all the good stuff going on with them. There are no spec sheets for it, but I have most of the specs below. Top bound Ash body Soft V shaped Birdseye Maple neck Bound headstock Bound 22 fret 9.5” radius ebony fingerboard Medium jumbo frets Pinstripe style inlay at the 12th fret 1.6875” nut width Neck thickness is .970″ at the first and 1.00″ at the 12th fret Duncan BG1400 pickup" I hope this helps. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
topekatj 346 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Keoghpjk said: I received the following message from the Fender rep I've been working with... Not much DGS didn't already know, but at least I've confirmed the model of pickup. Hey Patrick! You're a pretty lucky guy, I guess, based on 2 things: your guitar is pretty special and your response came on a record time, haha! I'm copy-pasting you the answer from my C.S. team contact below: "That was a Team Built model. I remember setting some of them up in the FCS Final Assembly, and man, they were barn burners. Had all the good stuff going on with them. There are no spec sheets for it, but I have most of the specs below. Top bound Ash body Soft V shaped Birdseye Maple neck Bound headstock Bound 22 fret 9.5” radius ebony fingerboard Medium jumbo frets Pinstripe style inlay at the 12th fret 1.6875” nut width Neck thickness is .970″ at the first and 1.00″ at the 12th fretDuncan BG1400 pickup" I hope this helps. Custom BG Duncan, Hmmmmmm 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 4,134 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Keoghpjk said: Neck thickness is .970″ at the first and 1.00″ at the 12th fret Now I love it even more... 🤤 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gtrdaddy 9,015 Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 Killer guitar. You could ask Mike Eldred about it, he could tell you everything you need to know. http://mikeeldredtrio.com/contact/ https://m.facebook.com/mikeeldredtrio/ 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Toadroller 3,598 Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 That's sharply dressed, man! Is every girl crazy about it? Congratulations! 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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